Burial vault



R. H. MORRIS Dec. 28, E937.

BURIAL VAULT Filed May 27, 1935 s sheets-sheet 2.

BURIAL VAULT Filed May 27, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 28, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in burial vaults and methods of constructing the same.

One object of the invention is to provide an i improved burial vault, which will be both airtight and water-proof, whereby a casket placed therein will Ybe given the utmost protectionand indefinitely preserved from destruction by decay and disintegration resulting from water seepage and earth elements.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved burial vault which may be inexpensively constructed by employing the Wooden box in Which the casket is usually shipped,

said box being covered with a preservative both inside and out whereby swelling or expanding of the wood is prevented, the treated box then being incased in metal, which in turn, is covered with a preservative whereby the metal is protected against rust or corrosion and a suitable vault is provided. Q

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved burial vault which is constructed of the box in which the casket is shipped, said box being incased in metal and suitably treated, and being used in an inverted position whereby the usual top of the box becomes the basewhich permits the sealing of the box to be accomplished above ground before the vault is lowered into the grave.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved burial vault constructed of a Wooden box suitably incased and treated and formed with an air chamber or space at its top, which air space acts as an insulation to prevent heat` vfrom the top of the grave penetrating into the lower section where the casket is located.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved method of constructing a burial vault which consists, in covering'a wooden box With a suitable preservative to prevent the box from swelling or expanding, then incasing the treated box in metal, then covering the metal with a suitable preservative to protect the same against rust and corrosion, whereby an air-tight and moisture proof vault which may be lowered into lthe grave and which will last indefinitely is provided.

A still further object of the invention is to proV vide an improved burial vault which is constructed of the Wooden box in'which the casket is usually shipped, the box being suitably treated to vmake'it water-proof and air-tight and being used in an inverted Vposition whereby the usual cover or'top becomes the base, this base being formed with a channel adapted to receive the edges of the box, said channel having suitable sealing medium therein whereby a positive airtight and moisture proof seal is effected between the box and the base. A V

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.k

The inventionV will be more readily understood l from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is an isometric View of a vault constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a transverse, vertical, sectional View, of a wooden box in which a casket vis shipped, said box being inverted and the top removed therefrom.

Figure 3 is a transverse, vertical, sectionalview, of the inverted box, showing its top built up to form an air space thereabove,

Figure 4 is an isometric View of the inverted box having a portion of its built up top broken away,

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the inverted box covered inside and out with a suitable preservative,

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure 5, and showing the treated box incased in metal and having the metal casing covered with a suitable preservative.

Figure 7 is an isometric view of the top of the box which forms the base of the vault, showing the iirst step in forming a peripheral channel V35 there-around, Y

Figure 'lan is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, taken on the line 'la-1a of Figure '7, and showing the base covered with a suitable preservative,

` Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing the base incased in metal which is so arranged as to form the peripheral channel, said metal being suitably treated with a preservative,

Figure 9 is a transverse, vertical, sectional View, of thecompleted vault showing the same assembled and having the casket located therein,

Figures 10 to 15 show another method of constructing the vault from the wood box, 50

Figures 16 and 17 show other ways of comstructing the bases, each of which are provided With the peripheral channel,

Figure 18 is a view wherein the completed vault is located within a concrete casing, the casing being located within the grave and being shown in section,

Figures 19 to 25 are sectional views showing still another method of forming the vault,

Figures 26 and 27 are isometric views which show other ways in which the top of the vault may be built up, and

Figure 28 is a sectional detail of another way of applying the preservative to the box and base.

In the drawings the numeral I designates a wooden box which is substantially rectangular in shape. This box may be built particularly for the purposes of the invention, but I have found it economical to use the wooden box in which the casket is shipped from the factory tothe undertaker, but it is pointed out that the invention is not to be so limited. The box has the usual cover or top I I which is nailedor otherwise secured to said box when the same is shipped. The box may be of any desired kind of wood and altho it is shown rectangular may vary in shape.

In carrying out the invention, the box is inverted whereby the usual bottom I2 becomes the top. For purposes of description the bottom I2 will be referred to as the top and the usual cover or top II will-be referred to as the base. A plurality of curved ribs or supporting members i3 are suitably secured to the top of the inverted box. These ribs are spaced longitudinally of said box and serve to support longitudinal slats orl bars I fl which are fastened to the ribs. By observing Figure 3 it will be seen that the ribs and slats form an air chamber or space I5 above the top of the box, which provides an insulation as will be hereinafter' explained. After the top has been built up to form the air chamber, the entire box, both inside and out, is covered with a suitable preservative A. This preservative may be asphalt, tar, or any other suitable material, which will make the woodmoisture proof, whereby swelling or expanding of the same is prevented. The preservative also prevents sweating of they wood on the inside which is caused by the moisture' exuding from the body, and further prevents decay of said Wood.

The treated box is incased in a metal jacket I6 which completely covers the outer surface of the box, the lower ends of the jacket being bent around the lower edges of said box. The jacket is then covered with a suitable preservative'B', whereby moisture and air cannot contact the metal. The preservative may be asphalt or other suitable material and it is obvious that it will serve to prevent rust or corrosion of the jacket.

As clearly shown in Figures '7a and 8 the base H is similarly' treated. In forming theV base a rectangular block I I is secured to the base I I and is of a smaller size than the base whereby a space extends completely around the outer edge of the base. The block and base are covered with the preservative A, similarly to the covering on the box IU. The base is then incased in metal I'I, this meta-l being so arranged that its outer edge extends upwardly from the base to form a peripheral metal flange I8 having a height substantially the same as the block II whereby a peripheral channel is formed completely around the outer edge of the base. The metal I'I is cov- `ered with suitable preservative I8', said preservative being applied to al1 outer surfaces of the metal. V v

In using the vault the base II being properly treated, as hereinbefore explained, is positioned on the lowering device (not shown) at the ground level of the grave. The casket C (Figure 9) is then placed on the base. A suitable sealing medium D, such as tar or other chemical or mineral sealer, is interred into the channel I9. The box i0 which has been provided with the built up top and properly incased in metal and treated as has been explained, is then set down over the casket and has its lower edges engaging in the channel I9. By observing Figure 9, it will be seen that when the box is engaged with the base, it is pos sible to solder or otherwise secure the same to said base. It is pointed out that the preserva- 'tive A positively protects the wood of both box and base from moisture and air. The metal jacket I6 further protects the wood of the box while the metal I 'I protects the wood of the base. The outer preservative B which completely covers the outer surface of all the exposed metal prevents rusting or corrosion of said metal. The sealing medium D provides an airtight connection between the box and base.

After the vault has been assembled as described, it may be lowered into the grave and the dirt thrown thereover. There is no possibility of moistureY or air affecting the walls of the vault and therefore the preservation of the casket is assured. The particular construction permits the vault to be assembled and sealed above ground, whereby if any water should be standing in the grave into which the vault is to be lowered, there is no danger of such water seeping into the vault while the sealing thereof is being done. Further all work may be done above ground and the sealing more accurately and positively done. There is more or less moisture thrown off from the body within the vault and, therefore, by coating the inside of said vault with preservative A, danger of the wood of the box or base swelling due to this moisture is prevented. The air chamber I5 which is formed at the top of the vault provides a dead air space which prevents circulation of any air, thereby providing an insulation which prevents the heat from the top of the grave penetrating into the interior of the vault. This dead air space also relieves some of the weight ofthe dirt, or ground from the top of the vault.

It has been found in some cases that one coating of the preservative B on the outer surface of the metal is insufficient to prevent rust and corrosion for a reasonable time. In such cases, it is desirable to increase the depth of this preservative. The carrying out of this method is clearly shown in Figure 28, wherein felt padding, or similar material 2B, is saturated in the preservative such as asphalt. This padding is then placed on the outer surface of the metal jacket I 6 and a second metal jacket I6 is then provided to incase the saturated felt. 'I'his outer metal jacket may then be coated with the preservative B. It is obvious that either the box Il! or the base II may be formed in this way and an increased protection is provided for the inner jacket I6. If desired the entire vault, after being properly sealed as shown in Figure 9, may be lowered within a concrete casing 2I (Figure 18). This casing may be provided with a suitable covering or slab 22 which is suitably secured in place. The concrete casing will merely give increased protection and its use is optional, for it has been found that a vault formed as shown in Figure 9 will last for an indefinite period of time.

In Figures 10 to15, another form of the'invention is shown. In this form the built -up top which provides the air chamber I5 is eliminated and the preservative A, metal jacket I6 and preservative B is applied to the top of the box exactly as it is applied to the sides. It will be obvious by observing the various steps shown in Figures 10 to 15 that the construction is carried out exactly as in the first form, the only difference being the omission of the ribs I3 and slats I4. The box and base are secured together and sealed above ground before the vault is lowered into the grave.

In Figures 16 and 17 two alternate ways of making the base areV shown. By observing Figure 16 it will be seen that the block II is not used but the base is formed with a double thickness of wood. The preservative A is then applied to the entire outer surface of the base and the metal sheath I'I incases the base.l It is pointed out that the metal is bent upon itself to form the peripheral channel I9 which receives the lower edges of the box. In Figure 1'7 the metal I'I is applied to the `base exactly as in the'ilrst form shown in Figure 8. Longitudinal and transverse bars 23 are then secured to the base being spaced upwardly from the edges thereof. It is obvious that these bars co-act with the peripheral metal flange I8 to form the peripheral groove I9 which receives the lower edges of the box. It will be seen that the base may be constructed in numerous ways without departing from the invention, and therefore the invention is not to be limited to any particular structure of said base. So long as the peripheral channel is provided in the base, whereby a sealing medium between the box and base may be employed, the purpose of the invention is carried out.

In Figures 19 to 25 still another Vway of constructing the vault is shown. This form may or lmay not be provided with the air chamber I5 at its top, but this `chamber is not shown in this particular form. In constructing this particular vault the box is covered with the preservative A, and is then incased in the metal jacket I6 which, in turn has the preservative B applied thereto. The lower edges of the jacket, instead of being turned inwardly to engage the lower edges of the box extend downwardly therebelow, as clearlyV shown in Figure 21. The base II is formed with the block II and is suitably covered with the preservative A. Metal sheathing 24 is fastened to the underside of the base and has its peripheral edges 25 turned upwardly. By observing Figure 24 it will be seen that the edges 25 are spaced from the outer edge of the base I I whereby a peripheral groove 26 is formed in the base. The sheathing is covered with the preservative B.

Inl assembling this form the casket Cv is placed on the block I I of the base and the box I E] placed thereover. The lower edges of said box rest on the base II and the lower end of the jacket I6 engages in the peripheral groove 26. The sealing medium D is entered into the groove 26 as well as between the lower edges of the box and the base. The advantages as pointed out above with relation to the first form, are present in this structure as an air-tight and water proof vault is provided. i Y

In Figures 26 and 27'7 alternate ways of forming the air chamber I5v at the upper end of the box IB are shown. In Figure 26 the transverse curved ribs I3 are suitably braced by longitudinal strips or reinforcing members 21, whereby a stronger top is provided. In Figure 27 only two curved ribs are secured to the top, one at each end thereof. These ribs are braced by a central longitudinal reinforcing member 28. Bracing of this member is accomplished through triangular, transversely extending braces 29 which are secured to both the member 28 and the top of the box. In both of these forms the slats' III are applied to form the rounded top on the box and to provide the air chamber I5.

It will be obvious that in all the forms the preservative A is applied to the Wooden box and base. Both base and box are then covered with metal to which the preservative B is applied. A suitable sealing medium assures an air-tight and water proof seal between the base and box. Particular structure in addition to providing an inexpensive and suitable vault, is such that the sealing between the box and base may be accomplished above ground before the same is lowered into the grave. This is a distinct advantage because the workmen can observe the work and can thereby properly seal the vault. When performing the sealing after the vault is already in the grave the workman is under a handicap and many times improperly seals thev vault which permits air and moisture to reach the interior thereof. Further by sealing above ground the vault is air-tight and moisture proof when lowered into the grave and in cases where there is water standing in the bottom of the grave this is particularly desirable because if the vault were not water proof when lowered therein, some of this water` would seep into the interior of the vault. It is pointed out that although the vault has been shown and described as comprising an inverted box, it would be possible to use the box right side up, which would make the base II the top. Whether the covered vault is lowered into the grave proper or into a concrete casing, as shown in Figure 18, is entirely optional with the user. By using the box in which the casket is shipped as the main body of the vault it is obvious that the expense of constructing the vault is reduced to a minimum.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A burial vault comprising a case consisting of two cooperating sections, one section constituting a wooden base, inside and outside coatings of waterproof preservative material on said wooden base section, an airtight sheet metal covering encasing said wooden base section, and a coating of waterproof preservative material on` the exterior surface of said sheet metal casing for the. base section, and the second section constituting a wooden cover having similar inside and outside coatings of waterproof preservative material and an airtight sheet metal casing therefor having an exterior coating of waterproof preservative material the saine as that on the sheet metal casing for the base section, and a seal between the meeting edges of the two cooperating sections consisting of the same coating as that on the metallic casings of th'e two sections whereby the case is entirely sealed by the homogeneous coating of waterproof material.

ROY H. MORRIS. 

